Lane Kiffin wouldn’t bite. Asked about Holt’s statement Monday, Kiffin said: “I don’t make much of it. We have great respect for those guys and their staff and their players. They can say whatever they want. They beat us, two years in a row.”

But someone thought enough of what Holt said to print out the quote and tape it to a door at Heritage Hall. Under the quote, in upper-case, red letters, read the following: “I KNOW HOW TO STOP THEM” — the implication being that Holt, USC’s former DC, knows how to do just that. And then: “BTW – Washington gave up 484 yards including 298 rushing last yr to USC.”

I wasn’t able to confirm who put the quote up on the door, nor do I know who took it down; by Monday afternoon, it was gone. Hmm.

Anyway, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian defended his handpicked coordinator, saying: “You could ask any defensive coordinator in our conference, and they would tell you the same thing. Oregon is hard to prepare for because of how unique they are. That doesn’t mean USC isn’t a good offensive team. That comment was about preparation for an offensive style.”

Regarding the quote being taped to the door, Sarkisian said: “We don’t motivate like that.”